Squirrels bats fizzle late in 6-3 loss to Curve
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels could not climb out of an early hole as they fell to the Altoona Curve, 6-3, Thursday night at The Diamond.
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels could not climb out of an early hole as they fell to the Altoona Curve, 6-3, Thursday night at The Diamond.
The Flying Squirrels (14-9) left eight runners on base and went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the loss to the Curve (12-10).
Altoona started the scoring in the first inning when Matt Gorski drove in a run off an RBI groundout to give the Curve a 1-0 lead.
Marco Luciano evened the score, 1-1, in the third inning with a solo home to right-center field against Altoona starter Sean Sullivan. It was the first hit for Luciano’s Double-A career.
LUCIAN💣
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 4, 2023
✅ Marco Luciano’s first Double-A hit is a solo homer pic.twitter.com/Y7NMCLaa5Z
The Curve stacked four runs in the fourth inning to move ahead, 5-1. Jacob Gonzalez launched a two-run homer against starter Mason Black (Loss, 0-2), Matt Fraizer scored off a throwing error and Drew Maggi was plated off a wild pitch.
After a walk and a double to leadoff the fifth inning, Luis Matos pelted a two-run single to center field and cut the deficit to 5-3.
Luis Matos brings in two to get us closer 💪 pic.twitter.com/u70H9ohJsP
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 5, 2023
Altoona gained a three-run advantage in the sixth when Gonzalez scored from third base off a wild pitch to move to a 6-3 lead.
The Curve bullpen held the Flying Squirrels to one hit over five innings. Oliver Garcia (Win, 2-0) struck out three batters over two innings and Juan Minaya notched a pair of strikeouts over two innings. Braeden Ogle (Save, 1) issued a pair two-out walks in the bottom of the ninth but left the runners stranded to secure the Altoona win.
The Flying Squirrels take on the Curve Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond. Friday is the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Night and the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The Flying Squirrels will don their Copa identity as Las Ardillas Voladoras while embracing Hispanic businesses. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (0-2, 2.93) will start for Richmond opposed by Altoona right-hander Aaron Shortridge (2-1, 4.95).
Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.